Louisville (1-1) rolled up 451 yards of total offense and added touchdowns on defense and special teams. The Cardinals had 202 yards in the first quarter alone — just 3 less than they managed in the entire game against Kentucky — and manhandled the overmatched Golden Eagles (1-1), who remained winless against teams from the Football Bowl Subdivision.

"I thought we ran physically," Louisville Coach Steve Kragthorpe said. "We did a good job of making sure we were running downhill, striking them."

The Cardinals ran for 234 yards, and the improved running game helped settle things for Cantwell. Showing the kind of touch he lacked against the Wildcats, Cantwell completed 15-of-23 passes and threw touchdowns to Troy Pascley and Pete Nochta.

Louisville, which failed to score a touchdown last week for the first time in eight years, wasted little time taking control. The Cardinals reached the end zone on three of their first four drives, jumping to a 20-0 lead before the game was 17 minutes old.

"It was very important for us to come out quick and get a lead," Cantwell said. "The running backs ran hard, blocked well. When they do that, it makes it easier when the running game is going."

Louisville wasn't perfect. The Cardinals turned the ball over twice, and Cantwell was hit hard more than once. Louisville played the second half without two experienced offensive linemen — center Eric Wood and left tackle George Bussey went out with minor injuries.